Kenta Maeda (Hiroshima) could end up using the WBC to gauge his own interest in playing in the Majors.

"I only know Japanese baseball," said Maeda. "I might enjoy facing MLB players at MLB stadiums, or I might not."

He added, "I am interested in seeing how [Japanese] pitchers adjust [to the Majors]. There are more opportunities for me to see that. ... It would be nice if I can expand my world with the WBC. It is all experience. It will depend on how I am feeling after it is all done."